Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation

The Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation in Ghana is responsible for the management, development, and regulation of water resources and sanitation services across the country. Some of its key functions include:

1. Water Resources Management: Formulating and implementing policies and strategies for the sustainable management and utilization of surface water and groundwater resources, including water allocation, conservation, protection, and pollution control measures.
2. Water Supply Development: Planning, financing, and implementing projects to improve access to safe and reliable drinking water supply services, particularly in rural and underserved areas, through the construction of water treatment plants, piped water systems, boreholes, and hand pumps.
3. Sanitation Services: Promoting access to adequate sanitation facilities and services, including toilets, latrines, and waste management systems, to ensure hygienic and safe sanitation practices and prevent waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and typhoid fever.
4. Wastewater Management: Developing and implementing strategies for the collection, treatment, and disposal of wastewater and sewage to protect public health, prevent water pollution, and safeguard water quality in rivers, lakes, and coastal areas.
5. Water Quality Monitoring: Monitoring and assessing the quality of drinking water sources, surface water bodies, and groundwater aquifers to identify pollution sources, assess water quality risks, and ensure compliance with national water quality standards and guidelines.
6. Water Infrastructure Maintenance: Maintaining and upgrading water supply and sanitation infrastructure, including water treatment plants, distribution networks, sewage systems, and sanitation facilities, to ensure their functionality, reliability, and sustainability over time.
7. Community Water and Sanitation Management: Promoting community-based approaches to water and sanitation management through the establishment of water and sanitation committees, capacity-building initiatives, and participatory decision-making processes involving local stakeholders and communities.
8. Policy Formulation and Regulation: Developing policies, regulations, and standards for the water and sanitation sector, as well as overseeing their implementation and enforcement by water utilities, local authorities, and other stakeholders to ensure accountability, transparency, and good governance.

The Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation plays a critical role in improving access to clean water and sanitation services, protecting public health, and promoting sustainable water resources management and environmental sustainability in Ghana.